Sunrisers Hyderabad crushed under Chris Gayle's ton

Mohali: Despite half centuries by captain Kane Williamson (54, 41 balls, 3x4s, 2x6s) and (57 not out, 42 balls, 3x4s, 1x6) Sunrisers Hyderabad failed to meet the 194 runs victory target set by Kings XI Punjab as the visitors could muster 178 runs for 4 wickets in 20 stipulated overs in the Indian Premier League at the IS Bindra PCa Stadium here on Thursday night. Kings XI Punjab won the match by 15 runs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered an early jolt as wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Sahawas bowled by Mohit Sharma with first wicket falling at 14 runs in 1.5 overs. With the addtion of 23 runs Sunrisers lost Shikhar Dhawan who returned to the pavilion retired hurt without scoring any run. While facing a delivery from Barinder Sran, Dhawan was hit on the left elbow. It was painful and Dhawan retired.

Skipper Williamson andd Pandy tried their best by scoring half centuries each but these were not enough to extricate their team from the jaws of defeat.Earlier, enjoying an early life left-handed Chrish Gayle slammed a strokeful century, first of this season and sixth in the IPL. His fabulous unbeaten knock of 104 from 63 deliveries contained just one boundary but 11 soaring sixes against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 16th IPL match.

Gayle was specially in punishing mood by hitting Rashid Khan to four successive sixes in the 14th over of the innings. This over produced 27 runs. After a slow start, Kings XI Punjab, batting first after winning the toss, Gayle bolstered his team to impressive total of 193 for 3. With opener Lokesh Rahul (18) Gayle produced 53 runs for the opening wicket stand.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, playing their fourth match, with three successive wins, met their first success as Rashid Khan trapped leg before wicket in 7.5 overs.Chris Gayle was also associated in rewarding 85-run stand with Karun Naia (31, 21 balls, 3x4s, 1x6). Nair's wicket (caught by Dhawan, bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar) at 168 in 17.4 overs. Finch and Gayle continued as Kings XI consumed their allotted 20 overs. Finch was not out on 14.Earlier left handed Chris Gayle and right hander Lokesh opened the Kings XI Punjab innings.

It was a slow start as the first two overs yielded only six runs. In the third over, Lokesh was adjudged left before wicket to Bhuvneshwar Kumar by umpire Anil Chaudhary who reviewed his decision immediately and Rahul continued.Chris Gayle pulled Jordan for a six over midwicket in the fourth over. Chris followed it with a four at coverpoint in the fourth delivery of Jordan. Kings XI Punjab secured 12 runs from the fourth over bringing their total of 25 without any loss.

Chris Gayle enjoued a life as he was floored by wicketkeer Wriddhiman Shah of the first delivery of leg break bowler Rashid Khan in the fifth over. Gayle recomposed himself and lofted Rashid over midwicket for six of the second ball of Rashid. Rashid again faced the wrath of Gayle who lofted the fifth delivery over long-on. Kings XI Punjab got 13 runs from this over to take their total to 38 without loss after five overs.Local lad medium pacer Siddarth Kaul was introduced and he conceded 11 runs in his first over. Kings XI made no change in their team while Sunrisers included Billy Stanlake in plac e of Chris Jordan.(UNI)